There are deep historical and cultural roots of multiculturalism and tolerance in our country. Throughout our history, various religious and ethnic minorities have been coexisted in Azerbaijan in peace and harmony. This multiethnic, religious and cultural diversity has been preserved and provided by our country for centuries. Today we have opened a new chapter in this direction. The year of 2016 has been declared the Year of Multiculturalism in Azerbaijan by the Executive Order of H.E. Mr.IlhamAliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This is further confirmation of the commitment of the Azerbaijani people and Azerbaijani leadership to the ideas of tolerance, humanism and equality, regardless of ethnic origin and religious belief. The work of the Centre is especially significant in this regard, as it brings together and coordinates numerous public initiatives on promoting and putting into practice the idea of multiculturalism and tolerance.

The main objectives of Baku International Multiculturalism Centre are: to preserve ethnic , religious and cultural diversity of the country, to introduce Azerbaijan as a centre of multiculturalism and tolerance to the world, as well as to carry out research into and promote existing multicultural models of the world.

One of the mainstream projects of the Centre is promoting a special University course entitled “Azerbaijani multiculturalism” at local and foreign universities. We have already managed to incorporate this course into the teaching programs of some top ranked universities ( Sapienza University in Rome, Charles University in Prague, Fribourg University in Switzerland) across Europe, as well as in Russia, Georgia and in Indonesia. In this context I would like to emphasize the role of International Summer and Winter Schools “ Multicultural Azerbaijan: learn, explore, share” organized by our Centre for those students, who demonstrated best performance during the semester.

Our Centre has also initiated the publication of a series of books under the title “Sources of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism”. The publication of the first volume in the series “Literary Sources of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism” was received with keen interest in January 2016.

Knowledge Foundation under the President oft he Republic of Azerbaijan

The Knowledge Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is a public body established in order to enhance scientific, technical, socio-economic and humanitarian knowledge, analyze the processes taking place in the context of globalization, promote national moral and religious values of Azerbaijanism, form ecological consciousness, bring processes of domestic and foreign policies of the Azerbaijan Republic to the public, as well as socio-economic and cultural events held in the country considering the requirements of modern information society and an economy based on knowledge.

Knowledge Fund under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established by the edict of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated May 7, 2014. The main goal of the Fund are education of population, to deliver the essence of state’s domestic and foreign policy and socio-economic processes to the public The main objectives of the Fund are as follows:

1. To carry out measures to improve of the scientific, technical and socio-political, socio-economic, environmental and cultural knowledge of population by organizational work and popularization;

2. To deliver full of knowledge about the processes occurring in the context of globalization to the people;

3. To advocate the essence of the national idea, to promote national, moral and religious values;

4. To support the growth of young people's knowledge, skills and professional levels and perspectives;

5. To promote healthy lifestyles and environmental protection;

6. To organize the historic and cultural events;

7. To analyze the dynamic development of Azerbaijan's integration into the world community and inform the public about international, regional and national socio-political and socio-economic processes;

8. To publish materials, books, brochures, analytic materials and to ensure their dissemination in order to realize its objectives.

Universities

La Sapienza University Rome

Sapienza University, which was founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII in Rome, is one of the oldest universities in the world and a top performer in international university rankings.

The future of Sapienza is firmly rooted in its rich past and the academic and research excellence of its community. Sapienza’s mission is to catalyse the development of a knowledge society by promoting research, education and international cooperation.

The 115,000 students enrolled at Sapienza can choose from over 250 degree programmes (Bachelors, Masters and PhDs) and 200 specialisation courses, while the “ScuolaSuperiore di StudiAvanzati” runs honoursprogrammes and free tuition for its best students.

Sapienza has 11 Faculties, 63 Departments and various research centres that drive high levels of excellence in archaeology, physics and astrophysics, as well as humanities and cultural heritage, environmental studies, nano technology, cellular and gene therapy, design and aerospace.

Fribourg University

The University of Fribourg encompasses five faculties where people study, teach and research. These are Arts and Humanities, Science, Economics and Social Sciences, Law and Theology. As well as these there are numerous interdisciplinary institutes and centres of excellence. The approximately 10,000 students in the Bachelor, Masters and PhD programs receive first-class personal support from over 800 professors, lecturers and research assistants.

The members of the University community come from 110 countries and make Fribourg with its 40,000 inhabitants a university town “par excellence”.

Besides the two main locations of Miséricorde and Pérolles, there are many other University buildings spread over the whole city.

Distances are short, so that the whole of Fribourg becomes, as it were, one campus. The combination of its medieval heritage and its animated student life imparts an incomparable charm to this city of the Dukes of Zähringen.

Augsburg University

The University of Augsburg was founded in 1970. It is one of the new, modern universities in Bavaria, and with approximately 20,000 students it is of a manageable size. It attracts students from far beyond its immediate catchment area. About 20% of the German students come from outside Bavaria, and at 10% its share of foreign students is larger than at comparable universities.

The University of Augsburg maintains particularly close partnerships with the Universities of Pittsburgh (USA), Osijek (Croatia), Iasi (Romania) and Chabarowsk (Russia). It has cooperation agreements with over forty universities in Europe, Asia, South Africa, North America and Latin America. The number of ERASMUS exchange programmes also continues to grow. There are currently exchange programmes with more than 130 universities throughout Europe.

Lusofona University of Humanities and Technologies

Lusophone University of Humanities and Technology is the largest private university in Portugal and is part of the subsystem of private and cooperative Portuguese higher education.

Through its teaching and research, Lusophone University of Humanities and Technology has as its core mission the scientific, cultural, economic and social development of Portugal and all countries where Portuguese is spoken.

In order to achieve these goals the University develops training activities, research and service in diverse areas of knowledge relevant to society.

Ural Federal University named after 1st President of Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin

Ural Federal University (UrFU) is one of the largest higher educational institutions in Russia bringing together fundamental education and innovative approach towards the challenges of modern times.

Currently the university is home to more than 30 000 students from 80 countries of the world and more than 2 000 faculty members including the top-notch global experts in the spheres of natural sciences, engineering and social sciences. Our 17 Institutes offer more than 350 Bachelor, Master and Doctoral Programs in natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, economics and management taught in Russian and English. The number of UrFU alumni exceeds 300 000 people.

Breakthrough studies are pursued in 72 research excellence centres. The university is open to international collaboration having more than 500 partners all over the globe and being an active participant of such initiatives as BRICS Network University, SCO Network University, CIS University.

Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences

With the start of its activity in 1935, its primary goal has been to educate a highly qualified professional in the chosen field of science and a professional teacher who is able to successfully operate in the fast-changing society, is knowledgeable about the abilities and skills obtained and professionally active in the national educational institutions of different types as well as in different contexts of international co-operation.
Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences offers undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies in humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, biomedicine and technologies.
The most important educational university, gradually solidifying this status in Central and Eastern regions of the European Union; Institution that is able to change and adapt, is international, modern, attractive and competitive; successfully trains specialists of wide spectrum, develops fundamental and applied scientific research, applies the results in practice and provides various social educational services.
University is continually developing the specialised education model and is constantly renewing the study process and organisation of scientific research; the University will strive to keep the training of pedagogues and education specialists a priority; It will extend the variety of services offered to students and community groups of different areas.

Sofia University named after St. KlementOhridski

The University of Sofia (St. KlimentOhridski) is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria, founded on 1 October, 1888. The edifice of the university was constructed between 1924 and 1934 with the financial support of the brothers EvlogiGeorgiev and HristoGeorgiev, whose sculptures are now featured on its façade, and has an area of 18,624 m² and a total of 324 premises.

The university has 16 faculties and three departments, where over 21,000 students receive their education. In addition, it also disposes of a university library, a university press, a computer centre, a sports centre and several other structures.

Sofia University has been consistently ranked as the top university in Bulgaria according to national and international rankings, and is constantly among the best 4 percent of world universities according to QS World University Rankings.

Tbilisi State University

The first-ever national university in the Caucasus was opened in 1918 laying the foundation for a European-type higher school in Georgia, based on Georgian educational traditions.

Today the IvaneJavakhishvili Tbilisi State University is one of the first scientific-research institutions of Georgia. It implements about 200 local and international scientific grant programs annually.
The Tbilisi State University is one of the largest higher educational institutions by its scales. Today about 22 thousand students are undergoing studies at seven faculties of TSU.
Along with bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, the Tbilisi State University also implements higher vocational education, as well as short and long term certification programs. Based on close cooperation with foreign universities, Georgian students have opportunities to participate in exchange and joint international educational programs and gain double academic degrees.
Tbilisi State University is an active member of leading international education networks and is proud of its alumni - prominent professors, scientists and graduates, who have successfully integrated into the European community and gained the recognition worldwide.

Belarusian State University

The Belarusian State University is a leading scientific, educational, innovation and cultural centre of the Republic of Belarus. Belarusian State University (BSU) Minsk, Belarus, was founded on October 30, 1921. It exercises its’ potential which is based on the best domestic and international experience in order to comply with intellectual, cultural and social demands and interests of the individual, society and state and to facilitate the sustainable development of the country

The entire complex of the Belarusian State University includes 16 faculties and 6 educational institutes, 10 educational establishments, 10 research and development institutes and centers, 41 research and developments laboratories, 10 innovation and production enterprises. The entire complex of the BSU includes about 8500 staff including about 3000 teaching staff and 500 research staff.

Charles University in Prague

The University in Prague was founded by a charter issued on 7 April 1348 by Charles IV, King of Bohemia and King of the Romans, as the first Studiumgenerale north of the Alps and east of Paris. Charles University is thus one of the oldest European universities. It was modelled on the universities in Bologna and Paris, and within a very short time it achieved international renown. It had four faculties: theology, liberal arts, law, and medicine. The academic community was comprised of teachers and students from the local area and further afield – but especially from the Central European region, for whom the University became an accessible and erudite Studiumgenerale school. Charles’ son and successor Wenceslas (Václav) IV extended his influence over the University; in 1409 he issued the KutnáHora Decree, by which he strengthened the status of Czech academic community members. Some of the masters and scholars left the Prague Studiumgenerale in protest; this accentuated the University’s character as an institution with strong links to the Czech nation.

GadjahMada University

UniversitasGadjahMada (internationally known as GadjahMada University ; Abbreviation : UGM) is an Indonesian public ivy league research university located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, founded on December 19, 1949. UGM is the oldest and largest institution of higher learning in Indonesia. Located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the 360 acre university comprises of 18 faculties, 68 undergraduate study programs, 23 diploma study programs, 104 master and spesialist study program, and 43 Doctorate study programs.

It has approximately 55,000 students, 1,187 foreign students and 2,500 faculty members currently. UniversitasGadjahMada has been considered to be one of the most prestigious universities in Indonesia.

UGM is implementing an educopolis area, a step taken by universities in creating conducive environment for the continuity of the learning process. These efforts are pursued in the context of developing multidisciplinary collaborations and responding to ecological issues in order to achieve the vision of the university. Some of the steps are reducing pollution and vehicle exhaust emissions, development of pedestrian, restriction of vehicles entering the campus, construction of new dormitories on the campus, development of parking pockets, planting the trees green and many more.

Erciyes University

Erciyes University was established under the name of Kayseri University in 1978. GevherNesibe Faculty of Medicine was established as an affiliate of Hacettepe University in 1969, and Kayseri Faculty of Business was established in 1977; these two academic units formed the core of the Kayseri University. In 1982 Kayseri University incorporated with two higher education institutions: Kayseri High Islamic Institute which was established in 1967, and Kayseri State Academy of Architecture and Engineering which was established in 1977. The additions to Kayseri University served as the Faculty of Theology and the Faculty of Engineering and the name of the university was changed to Erciyes University. The name of the university was inspired by Mt Erciyes (3916 m), which lies 15 kilometers to the south-west of the city. Mt Erciyes is one of Turkey's most influential winter sports centers. Today, Erciyes University consists of 18 faculties, 4 colleges, 10 vocational schools, 7 institutes, 6 departments and more than 37 research centers. The highly developed research hospital consisted of more that 1,500 beds with a general hospital (GevherNesibe Hospital) as well as Heart and Vascular Diseases Hospital, Organ Transplant and Dialysis Hospital, Oncology Hospital, Children's Hospital and Bone Marrow Transplantation and Stem Cell Therapy Center are among the most influential health facilities in the region.

Poltava University of Economics and Trade

The university trains specialists in the field of Finance, Accounting and Auditing, International Economics, Enterprise Economics, Management, Personnel Management and Labor Economics, Information Technologies, Economic Cybernetics, Marketing, Commodity Research and Commerce, Organisation of Trade, Commodity Research and Expertise in Customs. It is situated in the center of Poltava, the spiritual capital of Ukraine and one of the most environmentally-friendly cities of the left-bank Ukraine. The university has a license to train specialists for foreign countries.

The university graduates occupy key positions in scientific understanding and addressing today's market reformations, have the necessary knowledge and skills for the development of enterprise business activities and business based on modern local and international experience.